Orioles belt Phillies with the long ball

Baltimore Orioles' Matt Wieters watches his three-run home run during the first inning of a baseball spring training exhibition game against the Philadelphia Phillies, Sunday, March 3, 2013, in Sarasota, Fla. (AP Photo/Charlie Neibergall)

Published: Sunday, March 3, 2013 at 8:54 p.m.

Last Modified: Sunday, March 3, 2013 at 8:54 p.m.

SARASOTA

There was a small breeze blowing in from the south Sunday afternoon, and it drifted through Ed Smith Stadium and toward the left field pavilion, where some Orioles and Phillies fans tried to keep warm with a blanket or a cold beer.

The wind (12-19 mph) and the chilly temperatures (54 degrees) pestered some, but not the Orioles players, who braced the nippy weather and used part of it to their advantage in a 12-3 win over the Phillies.

“You’re going to get wind in spring training,” Orioles catcher Matt Wieters said. “It’s how you adjust that matters. You just want to take some good swings when you’re out there.”

He did, his three-run homer to left field in the first inning one of four hit by the Orioles during the game. Wieters finished with five RBI on a 2-for-3 outing.

Conor Jackson belted two out of the park, both to left field, too, and Jason Pridie also hit a long ball out, his the lone one that went in the opposite direction.

Jackson’s home run balls seemed to carry a little bit higher and longer than his teammates, like his expectations for himself as spring training continues to unfold.

The 30-year-old is trying to push for a roster spot after a topsy turvy major league career. He is with his sixth organization in 10 pro seasons and hasn’t played in the majors since 2011, when he was with the Oakland Athletics. His two home runs Sunday equaled the same amount he’s had total since 2011.

“Sometimes it’s about getting a guy at the right time,”Orioles manager Buck Showalter said about Jackson.

“He’s a guy who can hit .300 in the majors . . . he’s in the mix with some other people.”

Jackson spent last year playing Triple-A ball in the Chicago White Sox organization. He could be used as a first baseman, outfielder or designated hitter.

He’s hoping to fit in somewhere considering his journey, especially after he developed Valley Fever, a lung infection that can cause fever, chest pain, coughing and weight loss.

“In 2009, there was a time I didn’t think I was going to play baseball again,” Jackson said.

He is now, and his performance here on out will determine whether he’ll be picking up a bat and glove in the minors or majors.

<p>SARASOTA</p><p>There was a small breeze blowing in from the south Sunday afternoon, and it drifted through Ed Smith Stadium and toward the left field pavilion, where some Orioles and Phillies fans tried to keep warm with a blanket or a cold beer.</p><p>The wind (12-19 mph) and the chilly temperatures (54 degrees) pestered some, but not the Orioles players, who braced the nippy weather and used part of it to their advantage in a 12-3 win over the Phillies.</p><p>“You're going to get wind in spring training,” Orioles catcher Matt Wieters said. “It's how you adjust that matters. You just want to take some good swings when you're out there.”</p><p>He did, his three-run homer to left field in the first inning one of four hit by the Orioles during the game. Wieters finished with five RBI on a 2-for-3 outing.</p><p>Conor Jackson belted two out of the park, both to left field, too, and Jason Pridie also hit a long ball out, his the lone one that went in the opposite direction.</p><p>The offense was complemented by solid outings from a bevy of Orioles pitchers, including Chris Tillman, Zech Zinicola, Miguel Gonzalez, Pedro Strop, Todd Redmond and Adam Russell.</p><p>Jackson's home run balls seemed to carry a little bit higher and longer than his teammates, like his expectations for himself as spring training continues to unfold.</p><p>The 30-year-old is trying to push for a roster spot after a topsy turvy major league career. He is with his sixth organization in 10 pro seasons and hasn't played in the majors since 2011, when he was with the Oakland Athletics. His two home runs Sunday equaled the same amount he's had total since 2011.</p><p>“Sometimes it's about getting a guy at the right time,”Orioles manager Buck Showalter said about Jackson.</p><p>“He's a guy who can hit .300 in the majors . . . he's in the mix with some other people.”</p><p>Jackson spent last year playing Triple-A ball in the Chicago White Sox organization. He could be used as a first baseman, outfielder or designated hitter.</p><p>He's hoping to fit in somewhere considering his journey, especially after he developed Valley Fever, a lung infection that can cause fever, chest pain, coughing and weight loss.</p><p>“In 2009, there was a time I didn't think I was going to play baseball again,” Jackson said.</p><p>He is now, and his performance here on out will determine whether he'll be picking up a bat and glove in the minors or majors.</p>